Thanksgiving Day (USA)
Scripture:
Reflection:
Today, in the United States, we gather to celebrate the national holiday of Thanksgiving! It is a day when we pause to give thanks for the many blessings we have. We gather to eat special foods, visit with family and friends, pray together, watch football, tune into Macy’s Thanksgiving parade in New York. These are just a few of the ways this holiday is celebrated. I am looking forward to a trip to visit family and friends in Michigan, participate in the annual Y Turkey Trot on Thursday, attend liturgy at the local parish and overall enjoy time away and a chance to just be.
It doesn’t matter what language you speak or what traditions you celebrate to mark this special day. It does matter that we take time not just on this one day, but every day to give thanks. We are a nation that is blessed beyond words! We are a people that is blessed beyond explanation! For me, I find each day brings more blessings which leave me humbled and grateful!
This past week we have celebrated several gratitude events here in the parish that have left me feeling very much on HOLY ground!
- Our women’s small faith group ended the fall season with a turkey dinner, prayer and sharing how this time for us has been one of faith, hope and charity and most of all gratitude for the opportunity!
- Our regional family faith formation consisting of 32 families with 50 children together celebrated our annual turkey dinner, prayed together, donated items for the food pantry and homeless shelter and ended the evening with a rousing game of turkey bingo! Everyone had a great time, there were lots of ‘thank you’s and hugs exchanged as people departed!
- Our RCIA inquirers, team and sponsors met last evening. We set aside time for reflection and sharing about how this process of the last 11 weeks has been for all of us. Once again the gratitude for faith growth, community building, prayer experiences that was expressed by the group was overwhelming. The spirit was surely at work among this newly formed community. It was a great evening of rejoicing as we look forward in faith to the upcoming Rite of Welcome and Acceptance.
It seems a sense of the negative surrounds our world so often these days. It is good to be reminded and celebrate all the wonderful things that are happening. In 1 THES 5:18 we are given some great advice with these words:
In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will
Of God for you in Christ Jesus.
Alleluia, alleluia!
One of our catechumens shared a suggestion he had been given recently to send a card of thanks to someone whom you want to thank in a special way this Thanksgiving. Let’s all take the time to do this and make this season of giving thanks special for those who receive them.
Happy Thanksgiving to All!
Theresa Secord is a Pastoral Associate at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.
